LETTER: Here is what John Bell has done

Recently Bob Allen of Manassas was kind enough to ask in a letter to the editor what John Bell has done for his community and his country. Had Mr. Allen done the most rudimentary research, he would
have quickly observed that John served in the Air Force for 26 years and retired with distinction as a Major. While in the military he served in Iraq and Afghanistan and worked hard to secure rights for all
people, not just supporters from the 13th district. Mr. Allen’s question, by focusing so narrowly on the local community service, denigrates the contributions of our military service men and women
everywhere.

John Bell nevertheless has begun what I hope will be a distinguished career of community service. Most notably, he serves as the head volunteer tennis coach at Freedom High School — a position he
took without pay. In addition, when the beloved Lacrosse coach was struck with cancer, John organized the charge to rename the high school stadium after him.

With regards to John’s qualifications, I have had the distinct pleasure to support several military Finance Officers in my career (Army, Navy and Air Force), and I can tell you there is no better background
for serving the public trust.

Mr. Allen also attacks John’s positions with false claims. For example, he just plain lied about John’s abortion stance. John is not for abortion under any circumstances. He is not for partial-birth abortion
and does not believe abortion should be used as birth control.

As a 15-year resident of Prince William County, I am a confirmed independent. I haven’t voted in the 13th District elections for many years, largely because I was so repulsed by Delegate Marshall’s
extreme views. This is the guy that claimed women are partially responsible for their own rape and that not all incest is involuntary as justifications for not allowing abortion in cases of incest and rape.

This year, I have found a candidate that I can unreservedly support — a candidate who will look out for all the citizens of the Loudoun and Prince William counties. Mr. Allen clearly is only interested in
Bob Marshall’s own narrow views.

KARL BECKER

Manassas